MANITOBA—Women’s Centres are appalled that a Manitoba Judge seems to be holding a Thompson rape survivor responsible for her rapist’s actions, on the basis of her sexuality and attire at the time of the incident. The centres point out that survivors of crimes such as theft or assault are not blamed for the perpetrators’ actions, yet women continue to be re-traumatised in the courtroom because some judges fail to understand the legal meaning of “no means no”.

The Canadian Federation of Students developed the No Means No campaign nearly thirty years ago to raise awareness about and combat sexual assault, especially sexual assault by an acquaintance, or date rape. The goal of the campaign is to illustrate the many ways of signaling no to sex, and to bust the myth that rape survivors are responsible for rape.

“Judge Dewar was wrong to question what the woman was wearing the night that she was raped,” states Alanna Makinson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students–Manitoba. “Flirting, a short skirt, or a kiss never implies consent to intercourse.”

Added Joan Dawkins, Executive Director of the Women’s Health Clinic: “When a judge ignores the reality of sexual violence and blames a woman for the actions of her attacker, he not only harms the woman but makes it that much more difficult for the next victim to come forward and trust the judicial process. The result – rapists go free.”

The Canadian Federation of Students–Manitoba is calling on Judge Dewar to apologise for his ruling and be held accountable for his failure to understand that there is no such thing as “implied consent”. The level of moral responsibility assigned to a convicted rapist should not hinge on his victim’s attire or sexuality.

“To suggest that a rapist is less guilty because he was ‘insensitive’ to the fact that the victim was not a willing participant is irresponsible,” states Katie Haig-Anderson, Women’s Commissioner of the Canadian Federation of Students–Manitoba. “If a person is not a willing participant in a sexual interaction, if she does not give consent, then that is sexual assault. Judge Dewar has muddied the waters, and he should get some education on this issue, as well as apologise to the rape survivor, to the justice system and to the Manitobans serves.”

"They made their intentions publicly known that they wanted to party," said Dewar.

...

"This is a different case than one where there is no perceived invitation," said Dewar. "This is a case of misunderstood signals and inconsiderate behaviour."

...

"I'm sure whatever signals were sent that sex was in the air were unintentional," [Dewar] said.

"There is a different quality to this case than many sexual assaults," [Dewar] said. "Not all guilty people are morally culpable to the same level. This difference is not to be reflected in conviction. It can be reflected in sentencing. Protection of society is not advanced one iota by putting [the defendant] in jail."

I don't know what the process is to have a judge removed from the bench, but whatever it is, it needs to be reviewed in this case.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

It's time for the fifth annual tracking of my Roll Up the Rim statistics. I'll update this post as my consumption totals rise up.

As always, I record three statistics.

The first number represents the number of 'Wins'. I will update the post to indicate what I've won and what size of beverage.

The second number represents the number of 'Please Play Agains'.

The third number represents the number of times I did not receive a Roll Up cup. This usually happens twice or three times in the middle of the campaign, as opposed to the trailing end when cups begin to be snatched up.